Map-based trip trajectory and data integration system

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for mapping trip trajectories include identifying one or more vehicle trips (e.g., aircraft flights). One or more trajectory configurations associated with at least a portion of each vehicle trip can be identified, and location data associated with the one or more vehicle trips can be requested. Trip trajectory data based at least in part from the location data associated with the one or more vehicle trips and the one or more trajectory configurations associated with at least a portion of each vehicle trip can be generated. The trip trajectory data can be provided for display on a map of a geographic area including one or more locations defined by the location data associated with the one or more vehicle trips.

FIELD

The present subject matter relates generally to automated systems andmethods for determining map-based implementations of trip trajectoriesand associated trip parameter data.

BACKGROUND

Vast quantities of data are generally available related to performancetracking for transportation fleets and individual assets. For example,the aviation industry gathers aircraft operational data from a varietyof particular sources. Data can be collected from aircraft via QuickAccess Recorders (QARs), which can provide airborne recordation of rawflight data parameters received from a number of aircraft sensors andavionic systems. Raw flight data parameters can include, for example,location data defining aircraft trajectories as well as other sensedparameters related to aircraft performance and the like.

Predictive analysis of vehicle operational data (e.g., aircraft flightdata) can offer useful information for maintenance and prognostics forindividual vehicles or entire fleets. This information can benefitengineers, managers, or other specialists within a vehicle maintenanceorganization who help solve various vehicle and/or fleet maintenanceproblems. Many existing systems rely primarily on human interpretationof these vast amounts of data, which can be cumbersome, tedious and timeconsuming. In addition, there are limitations with visualizing fleetdata in mass in a manner that accommodates meaningful analysis, such ascomparison of aircraft data across multiple flights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will beset forth in part in the following description, or may be learned fromthe description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.

One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to acomputer-implemented method for mapping trip trajectories. The methodincludes identifying, by one or more computing devices, one or morevehicle trips. The method also includes identifying, by the one or morecomputing devices, one or more trajectory configurations associated withat least a portion of each vehicle trip. The method also includesrequesting, by the one or more computing devices, location dataassociated with the one or more vehicle trips. The method also includesgenerating, by the one or more computing devices, trip trajectory databased at least in part from the location data associated with the one ormore vehicle trips and the one or more trajectory configurationsassociated with at least a portion of each vehicle trip. The method alsoincludes providing for display, by the one or more computing devices,the trip trajectory data on a map of a geographic area including one ormore locations defined by the location data associated with the one ormore vehicle trips.

Another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to amap-based trip trajectory system. The system includes a display deviceconfigured to provide output data in the form of one or more graphicaluser interfaces for receiving user instructions. The system alsoincludes an input device configured to receive input data provided tothe one or more graphical user interfaces provided on the displaydevice, the input data identifying one or more vehicle trips, one ormore first trip trajectory configurations associated with one or more ofa first portion of the one or more vehicle trips or a first set ofvehicle trips, and one or more second flight trajectory configurationsassociated with one or more of a second portion of the one or morevehicle trips or a second set of vehicle trips. The system also includesone or more processors and one or more memory devices, the one or morememory devices storing computer-readable instructions that when executedby the one or more processors cause the one or more processors toperform operations. The operations include requesting location dataassociated with the one or more vehicle trips. The operations alsoinclude generating trip trajectory data based at least in part from thelocation data associated with the one or more vehicle trips, the one ormore first trip trajectory configurations, and the one or more secondtrip trajectory configurations. The operations also include providingfor display on the display device the trip trajectory data on a map of ageographic area including one or more locations defined by the locationdata associated with the one or more vehicle trips.

Yet another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to oneor more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media storingcomputer-readable instructions that implement an application programminginterface for obtaining flight trajectory data executed on one or morecomputing devices. The one or more computing devices having one or moreprocessors and at least one display device. The application programminginterface includes instructions for identifying, by a softwareapplication associated with the one or more computing devices, one ormore aircraft flights and one or more flight trajectory configurations.The application programming interface also includes instructions forgenerating, by the software application, a query string that comprisesone or more flight identifiers indicative of the one or more aircraftflights. The application programming interface also includesinstructions for requesting, by the software application, location dataassociated with the one or more aircraft flights. The one or morecomputing devices provide for display on the display device the locationdata associated with the one or more aircraft flights on a map of ageographic area including one or more locations defined by the locationdata associated with the one or more aircraft flights.

Variations and modifications can be made to these example aspects of thepresent disclosure.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodimentswill become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the present disclosure and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the related principles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed discussion of embodiments directed to one of ordinary skill inthe art are set forth in the specification, which makes reference to theappended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an example trip trajectory and data integration systemoverview according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts an example overview of system components associated witha trip data system according to example aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts example vehicles for which trip trajectory mapping can beimplemented according to example aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 provides a first example graphical user interface depicting triptrajectory data generated according to example aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 provides a second example graphical user interface depicting triptrajectory data generated according to example aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 provides a third example graphical user interface depicting triptrajectory data generated according to example aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 provides a fourth example graphical user interface depicting triptrajectory data generated according to example aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 provides a fifth example graphical user interface depicting triptrajectory data generated according to example aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 provides a sixth example graphical user interface depicting triptrajectory data generated according to example aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 provides a seventh example graphical user interface depictingtrip trajectory data generated according to example aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts a flow chart of an example method for mapping triptrajectories according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 depicts a flow chart of a first example method of identifyingmultiple different trajectory configurations according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 depicts a flow chart of a second example method of identifyingmultiple different trajectory configurations according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 depicts a flow chart of an example method of requesting locationdata associated with a vehicle trip according to example embodiments ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 15 depicts example system components of a trip trajectory systemaccording to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

Example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems andmethods for mapping and analyzing trip trajectories for a fleet ofvehicles (e.g., aircraft, helicopter, automobile, boat, submarine,train, and/or any other suitable vehicles.) Location data (e.g.,latitude, longitude, altitude values) corresponding to particularvehicle trips (e.g., aircraft flights) can be requested via anapplication programming interface (API) in communication with a tripdata system. Trajectory configurations can be specified for portions ofthe vehicle trips that indicate a manner in which trip trajectory dataassociated with the location data for the vehicle trips should begenerated. The trip trajectory data can be provided for display on a mapof a geographic area including one or more locations defined by thelocation data associated with the vehicle trips.

In more particular example embodiments, various options can be providedby which one or more vehicle trips can be identified for analysis inaccordance with the disclosed technology. For example, one or moreunique trip identifiers can be received for respective vehicle tripsfrom input data provided via a graphical user interface. In anotherexample, input data from a graphical user interface can indicate userselection of vehicle trips from a graphical display (e.g., a plot orchart) of multiple vehicle trips. In some examples, a display device isconfigured to provide output data in the form of one or more graphicaluser interfaces for receiving user instructions indicating identifiedvehicle trips.

Location data associated with one or more identified vehicle trips canbe requested, for example, from a trip data system coupled to a databaseof trip data including location data as well as other trip parameters.In some examples, a query string that includes trip identifiersindicative of identified vehicle trips for display and analysis can begenerated. In some examples, the query string also can include one ormore system identifiers indicative of the trip data system from whichthe location data is requested. The location data associated with thevehicle trips then can be requested from a trip data system based atleast in part on the query string including the trip identifiers and/orsystem identifiers.

Trajectory configurations (e.g., different patterns, colors and/orvisual indicators) can be identified for at least a portion of eachvehicle trip. In some examples, one or more first trip trajectoryconfigurations and one or more second different trip trajectoryconfigurations can be identified. In some examples, the first triptrajectory configurations can be associated with a first group of one ormore first vehicle trips, while the second trip trajectoryconfigurations can be associated with a second group of one or moresecond vehicle trips. Any number of different trajectory configurationsand corresponding number of groups of vehicle trips can be specified,and trips can be moved from one group to another as specified by userinput. In some examples, the first trip trajectory configurations can beassociated with a first portion of one or more vehicle trips and thesecond trip trajectory configurations can be associated with a secondportion of the one or more vehicle trips. Trip trajectory data can begenerated based at least in part from the location data associated withthe one or more vehicle trips, the one or more first trip trajectoryconfigurations and the one or more second trip trajectoryconfigurations. This causes the trip trajectory data that is providedfor display to have different configurations in accordance with thedifferent first and second trip trajectory configurations. In someexamples, the trip trajectory data and map data associated with the mapon which the trip trajectory data is provided for display are bothprovided in the same rendering format (e.g., a keyhole markup language(KML) file format).

Trip parameters related to the identified vehicle trips also can beidentified and used to augment display of location data within amap-based trip trajectory. Example trip parameters can include but arenot limited to parameters recorded or derived from the vehicle data orengine data recorders on a vehicle describing some aspects of a trip,such as control inputs or surfaces, trip dynamics, (e.g., speeds orvibrations) or state logic (e.g. APU or autopilot enabled on a flight).Trip parameter data can be parametric (varying by time) or located at aparticular time and place on a trip path. Inclusion of trip parameterdata within trip trajectories can beneficially leverage the great wealthof information that may be recorded or derived from vehicle trips (e.g.,flight data and/or engine data recorded on an aircraft).

Parameter configurations associated with at least a portion of each tripparameter also can be identified and used to generate trip trajectorydata. In some examples, parameter configurations can include a mappingformula for mapping values for one or more trip parameters to a visualspectrum. For instance, a visual spectrum can be defined in terms ofdifferent colors for different parameter values or in terms of lines ofvaried lengths representative of different parameter values positioned(e.g., perpendicularly) along a trajectory line representing locationdata for a vehicle trip. In some examples, parameter configurations caninclude icon definitions for indicating trip parameter data at one ormore times or locations along a trip trajectory. Even further tripparameter data can be provided for display upon receipt of dataindicative of user selection of one or more selected vehicle trips fromthe trip trajectory data, thus providing more detailed information aboutparticular selected trips.

The systems and methods described herein may provide a number oftechnical effects and benefits. For instance, systems and methods formapping trip trajectories can have a technical effect of facilitatingaggregation and understanding of large amounts of trip data that arerecorded by vehicles. Features for visualizing multiple trips at once(e.g., hundreds or even thousands of flights at a time) can helpdetermine greater understanding of trip dynamics (e.g., the airspace ofan airport or flight patterns for a commercial fleet of aircraft).Visualization in a map-based system provides concrete improvements overconventional trip data provided in strip charts and/or tabular datawhich can be difficult for non-engineers to interpret. Comparison ofmultiple trips relative to one another using conventional systems can beextremely challenging. However, the disclosed embodiments providefeatures for viewing trip trajectory data in a manner that accommodatesmore meaningful interpretation and understanding. In particular, displayof trip trajectory data overlaid on a map allows immediate recognitionwhen an artifact of interest has some relation to geography and isuseful when comparing the trip trajectory characteristics of a group ofvehicles. Features can thus be provided for investigating individualtrips to determine causality and/or multiple trips to determinecommonality of trip parameters and the like.

The disclosed features for mapping trip trajectories can advantageouslyallow data engineers to harness the value in recorded data to presentideas effectively. By showing visually the locations at which variousaspects of trips (e.g., flights) occur, it can be much easier tocommunicate the desired behavior of an approach or landing. Being ableto display trip trajectories and/or associated parameter data usingparametric coloring can illustrate the behavior of a fleet before andafter a process change. Additionally or alternatively, generated triptrajectory data can contrast more effective versus less effectiveoperating procedures, thus providing value to solving operatingproblems. In addition, clustering can be applied to a large data set ina manner that can identify data trends that may have been hiddenbeforehand. One plausible scenario is to display a set of related eventsto determine causality based on location. For example, turbulence eventsin aircraft flight may cluster around a certain mountain range, orengine surge events may occur near certain climates or geographicalfeatures. These valuable visualizations can enable engineers tocommunicate stories found in trip data to non-engineers, such as pilots,fleet managers, vehicle buyers, and/or decision makers for fleets,trips, maintenance, and the like. The types of data generation andvisualization possible with the disclosed features can be extremelyvaluable both in terms of sales as well as when searching for solutionsfor real-world problems.

The disclosed systems and methods for mapping trip trajectories can havean additional technical effect of providing highly customizablegroupings of vehicles, trips and/or related parameters as well asdisplay configurations pertaining to such items or their dynamicgroupings. For example, particular trips and/or groups of trips can beidentified by user selection either directly by typing in a unique tripidentifier or indirectly by selecting trips from a secondary view intothe data, such as lassoing dots from a scatter plot or clicking on a barin a bar chart to select the trips for which trajectory data can begenerated and provided for display. In addition to fundamentaltechnology of viewing trajectories, data groupings can be created withdifferent configurations (e.g., predetermined and/or customizablelabeling and/or coloring) to contrast between different sets of trips,vehicles, parameters, etc. Features can also be provided to select atrip or trips in a displayed set and retrieve further information aboutthose particular trips. That trip information then can be used toidentify subsequent actions such as indicating particular vehicles thatrequire maintenance, contacting a flight crew or other trip team tolearn more about what happened, or otherwise drill down into that tripto search for causality.

The disclosed systems and methods for mapping trip trajectories can havea still further technical effect of providing visual data mining andcommunication capabilities that were not known to be possible withprevious tools. The disclosed technology can accommodate a flight dataanalysis system that can render this type of visualizationinteractively. An example of data mining is to render all of the flightslanding in a particular airport and select one or more that areinteresting in the hopes of uncovering inefficiencies or safety risks.Selection tools can allow for clicking on a trajectory and usingmetadata associated with that flight as a key into other analysis tools.Flight commonalities, causalities, or other lessons can be learned basedon drilling into a particular aberrant trip or trips.

The systems and methods of the present disclosure also provide animprovement to computing technology by providing a centralized andstreamlined computer-based solution for generating and displaying triptrajectory data across multiple vehicles and/or trips. In particular,the disclosed features for mapping trip trajectories can provide astreamlined trajectory solution that distills multiple tools into asingle web page, allowing for virtually instantaneous view oftrajectories based on trip data. Responsive display of trip data (e.g.,lat/long or other location data for one or many trips) on a web pagecoupled to trip data and/or mapping data can be facilitated through thecoordinated utilization of one or more integrated applicationprogramming interfaces. This solution is more efficient, provides moreeffective data, and is dynamic in nature. For instance, new trips can bedynamically added to sets for viewing or configurations can bedynamically changed such as coloring or the like without a need to startover from the beginning every time a new trip trajectory configurationis desired. A responsive graphical user interface can render triptrajectory configurations within seconds of configuration changes, andcan accommodate data exploration in an understandable and efficient way.As such, unique interactivity provided by the disclosed systems andmethods can allow a user to tune what is shown and selected in agraphical user interface tool more easily and in an advantageous manner.

Example aspects of the present disclosure may be discussed withreference to aircraft related data and other avionic systems associatedwith an aircraft for purposes of illustration and discussion. Those ofordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, willunderstand that the subject matter described herein can be used withother asset-related systems including fleets of vehicles other thanaircraft without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Inparticular, discussion of aircraft herein can be generally applied tovehicles other than aircraft, and discussion of aircraft flights can begenerally interchangeable with other vehicle trips and vice versa.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts an example overview of atrip trajectory and data integration system 100, that includesintegrated system components such as a trip trajectory system 102, atrip data system 120 and a map data system 130. The trip trajectorysystem 102 can include multiple components, including but not limited toa trip selection system 104, a trip grouping system 106, a tripparameter system 108, a mapping system 110, a trajectory viewing system112, and one or more application programming interfaces (APIs) 114. TheAPIs 114 are configured to generate one or more query strings 116/117which can be communicated via one or more networks 118 to trip datasystem 120 and/or map data system 130. One or more portions of trip data122 requested from trip data system 120 and/or one or more portions ofmap data 132 requested from map data system 130 can be provided vianetwork 118 back to trip trajectory system 102 in a variety of triptrajectory configurations as described herein. The network 118 can beany type of communications network, such as a local area network (e.g.intranet), wide area network (e.g. Internet), cellular network, or somecombination thereof. The network 118 can also include a directconnection. In general, communication can be carried via network 118using any type of wired and/or wireless connection, using a variety ofcommunication protocols (e.g. TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings orformats (e.g. HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes (e.g. VPN, secureHTTP, SSL).

Referring more particularly to trip trajectory system 102, a tripselection system 104 is configured to identify one or more vehicle tripsfor analysis in accordance with the disclosed technology. For example,trip selection system 104 can utilize one or more input/output (I/O)devices to receive instructions identifying one or more vehicle trips.In some examples, a display device can provide output data in the formof one or more graphical user interfaces for receiving instructions froma user and/or from a computing device or system. An input device canreceive input data provided to the one or more graphical user interfacesprovided on the display device. The input data can identify one or morevehicle trips selected within trip selection system 104. In someinstances, input data can directly specify vehicle trips by providingone or more unique trip identifiers for respective vehicle trips frominput data provided via a graphical user interface. Unique tripidentifiers can be provided in a variety of suitable formats, such as aconcatenation of one or more alphanumeric identifiers including a fleetdesignator, a trip designator, an operational suffix, etc. In otherinstances, input data from a graphical user interface can indirectlyspecify vehicle trips by user selection of vehicle trips from agraphical display (e.g., a plot or chart) of multiple vehicle trips. Forexample, dots can be lassoed from a scatter plot or bars can be clickedin a bar chart to select the trips for which trajectory data canultimately be generated and provided for display.

A trip grouping system 106 can be provided to create data groupingsrelative to the vehicle trips selected via trip selection system 104.Different data groupings can be created based on different sets oftrips, different vehicles, different vehicle parameters, trip parametersor other data items. Groupings data can be mapped to different visualconfigurations (e.g., different labels and/or colors) to contrastbetween different groups in trajectory viewing system 112. Tripgroupings established via trip grouping system 106 can be specified by auser or set in accordance with predefined groups that are automaticallypopulated after trips are selected via trip selection system 104. Forexample, at least one first group and at least one second group can beidentified using trip grouping system 106. In some examples, the firstgroup can include one or more first vehicle trips, while a second groupcan include one or more second vehicle trips. For instance, a firstgroup of one or more vehicle trips can include trips during a period oftime before a particular operational protocol is implemented, while asecond group of one or more vehicle trips can include trips during aperiod of time after the particular operational protocol is implemented.This provides options for contrasting different trips to better analyzerelative changes in trip performance. In some examples, the first groupcan include a first portion of one or more vehicle trips while a secondgroup can include a second portion of the same one or more vehicletrips. For instance, a first portion of one or more vehicle trips cancorrespond to a portion of aircraft flights when landing gear isdeployed, while a second portion of the one or more vehicle trips cancorrespond to a portion of the same aircraft flights when landing gearis not deployed. Any number of different groups of vehicle trips orportions of vehicle trips can be specified using trip grouping system106, and trips, vehicles, parameters or portions thereof can be movedfrom one group to another as specified by user input. Different groupscan be independently selected such that they can be shown or hiddenusing trajectory viewing system 112.

Trip parameter system 108 can be provided to identify one or more tripparameters related to the identified vehicle trips from trip selectionsystem 104 for which additional data is ultimately desired foraugmenting trip trajectories via trajectory viewing system 112. In someexamples, parameter data associated with trip parameters identifiedwithin trip parameter system 108 can augment display of location datawithin a map-based trip trajectory. Example trip parameters identifiedusing trip parameter system 108 can include but are not limited toparameters recorded or derived from vehicle data or engine datarecorders on a vehicle describing some aspects of a trip, such ascontrol inputs or surfaces, trip dynamics, (e.g., speeds or vibrations)or state logic (e.g. APU or autopilot enabled on a flight). Tripparameter data associated with trip parameters identified using tripparameter system 108 can be parametric (varying by time) or located at aparticular time and place on a trip path. Inclusion of trip parameterdata within trip trajectories can beneficially leverage the great wealthof information that may be recorded or derived from vehicle trips (e.g.,flight data and/or engine data recorded on an aircraft). Additionalexamples of trip parameters that can be selected via trip parametersystem 108 can include any type of trip data 122 as further described inFIG. 2.

The trip selection system 104, trip grouping system 106 and/or tripparameter system 108 can be variously used to specify differentconfigurations for identified vehicle trips, groupings, and/or tripparameters. For example, different trajectory configurations (e.g.,different colors and/or visual indicators) can be identified for atleast a portion of each vehicle trip selected via trip selection system104. In some examples, different trajectory configurations can bedefined for different groups identified via trip grouping system 106.For example, a first trip trajectory configuration can include a firstcolor or style for trip trajectory data associated with a first groupwhile a second trajectory configuration can include a second differentcolor or style for trip trajectory data associated with a second group.In this manner, trip trajectory data that is provided for display canultimately have different configurations in accordance with thedifferent first and second trip trajectory configurations.

Trip parameter system 108 can identify trip parameter configurationsassociated with at least a portion of identified trip parameters. Insome examples, parameter configurations selected via trip parametersystem 108 can include a mapping formula for mapping values for one ormore trip parameters to a visual spectrum. For instance, a visualspectrum can be defined in terms of different colors for differentparameter values or in terms of lines of varied lengths representativeof different parameter values positioned (e.g., perpendicularly) along aline representing location data for a vehicle trip. In some examples,parameter configurations selected via trip parameter system 108 caninclude icon definitions for indicating trip parameter data at one ormore times or locations along a trip trajectory. Even further tripparameter data can be provided for display upon receipt of dataindicative of user selection of one or more selected vehicle trips fromthe trip trajectory data, thus providing more detailed information aboutparticular selected trips.

Referring still to FIG. 1, mapping system 110 corresponds to a portionof trip trajectory system 102 that can be configured to communicate withmap data system 130 to retrieve determined map data 132 for generatingspecific trip trajectories in accordance with the disclosed technology.Mapping system 130 can define and request map data 132 that includes oneor more geographic areas associated with location data for the one ormore vehicle trips identified via trip selection system 104. Mappingsystem 130 can retrieve map data 132 that is defined using a variety offormats, including but not limited to GeoRSS, KML (Keyhole MarkupLanguage), Geography Markup Language (GML), GeoJSON and map data fromany source using OGC-standards such as Web Map Service (WMS) or WebFeature Service (WFS). Map data system 130 hosting map data 132 can beassociated with a variety of mapping services for providing geographicmap data to a user, such as for example, Bing Maps, MapQuest, GoogleMapsand others.

Trajectory viewing system 112 can generate trip trajectory data based ontrip data 122 retrieved from trip data system 120 and can combine thetrip trajectory data with associated map data 132 retrieved from mapdata system 130. Trip trajectory data can include location dataassociated with various trip trajectories and/or associated tripparameters generated in a rendering format that is compatible with mapdata and a viewing format as defined by the various trajectoryconfigurations and/or trip parameter configurations. For example,vehicle trips identified via trip selection system 104 can be colorcoded appropriately based on group membership identified via tripgrouping system 106. The trajectory viewing system 112 can then providethe generated trip trajectory data on a map of a geographic areaincluding one or more locations defined by the location data associatedwith the one or more vehicle trips for display on a display device. Themap of a geographic area can be provided in a variety of formats such asa navigational representation, aerial/satellite imagery representation,terrain representation, or other map-based depiction. The triptrajectory data generated by trajectory viewing system 112 as well asassociated map data 132 can both be provided in the same renderingformat (e.g., a keyhole markup language (KML) file format). Trajectoryviewing system 112 can be implemented as a web-based softwareapplication that is provided on a network-accessible platform, such asin a browser connected to the Internet (e.g., network 118). Trajectoryviewing system 112 can include a view manager for integrating andcoordinating user navigation among one or more different view portionsof a graphical user interface provided within a browser window fordisplaying the map-based trip trajectory data.

Application programming interface(s) 114 can be used at least in part toaccess trip data 122 and/or map data 132 that is used to generate thetrip trajectory data within trajectory viewing system 112. For example,a trip data application programming interface (API) can be used torequest specific trip data 122 from trip data system 120. Similarly, amap data API can be used to request specific map data 132 from map datasystem 130.

One or more portions of trip trajectory system 102 (e.g., trajectoryviewing system 112) can generate a trip data query string 116, which caninclude one or more identifiers. In some examples, trip data querystring 116 can include, for example, one or more system identifiers forspecifying a particular trip data system 120 from which trip data 122 isdesired. In some examples, trip data query string 116 can include, forexample, one or more unique trip identifiers for identifying vehicletrips for which location data is desired. Start offsets and/or stopoffsets can also be specified within trip data query string 116 toidentify specific portions of each uniquely identified trip. Trajectoryconfigurations can also be specified within trip data query string 116in order to retrieve trip data 122 in a particular rendering format.Trip data 122 including location data and/or trip parameter data thencan be retrieved from trip data system 120 based at least in part on theidentifiers included in trip data query string 116.

One or more portions of trip trajectory system 102 (e.g., mapping system130) can generate a mapping query string 117, which can include one ormore identifiers. In some examples, mapping query string 117 caninclude, for example, one or more system identifiers for specifying aparticular map data system 130 from which map data 132 is desired. Insome examples, mapping query string 117 can include, for example, one ormore location identifiers defining a geographic area that includes oneor more locations defined by the location data associated with the oneor more vehicle trips identified via trip selection system 104. Map data132 including map portions of specified geographic areas then can beretrieved from map data system 130 based at least in part on theidentifiers included in map query string 117.

FIG. 2 depicts more particular aspects of a database for storing tripdata 122. Portions of data from one or more vehicle-related data sourcescan be gathered from sensors, user input or other data collectionfeatures within a vehicle 140, a client computing device 142, and/orserver computing device 144 and collected within a database storing tripdata 122. Data originating from vehicle 140 and computing devices142/144 can be accumulated before a trip, during a trip and/or after atrip and can include data gathered automatically by vehicle sensors andother vehicle systems or data that is manually downloaded from a vehicleor manually entered by drivers, pilots, engineers, controllers,maintenance personnel, or other specialists assisting withvehicle-related activities and analysis. In some examples, suchindividuals can access one or more client computing devices 142 onboarda vehicle or one or more server computing devices 144 in a remotelocation from the vehicle to provide vehicle-related trip data 122.

Although FIG. 2 depicts example vehicle 140 as an aircraft, it should beappreciated that the systems and methods of the present disclosure canbe implemented relative to other vehicles. For example, FIG. 3illustrates additional or alternative vehicles 140 for which trip data122 can be gathered and which can incorporate features of the disclosedtechnology. For example vehicles 140 can include but are not limited toaircraft, helicopter, automobile, boat, submarine, train, car, truck,bus and/or any other suitable vehicles. Trip data gathered at database122 can be collected from a variety of particular sources. For example,when trip data gathered at database 122 includes aircraft flight data,such data can be maintained by one or more particular airlines, bygeneral aviation tracking systems, by third party data collection andanalysis entities authorized by an airline or other organization totrack relevant data, or other entities.

Trip database 122 can include different specific types ofvehicle-related data. For example, trip location data 146 can includelocation data identifying different locations of a vehicle forrespective vehicle trips. In some examples, the trip location data 146can include specific geographic location data, such as latitude,longitude and/or altitude values of a vehicle at different points alonga trip path. In some examples, the trip location data 146 can betime-correlated location data such that each instance of recordedlocation data has an associated timestamp. Trip location data 146 can bedetermined, for example, by one or more location sensors provided ateach vehicle. Location sensors configured to determine trip locationdata 146 can determine actual and/or relative position by using, forexample, a satellite navigation positioning system (e.g. a GPS system, aGalileo positioning system, the Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS), the BeiDou Satellite Navigation and Positioning system), aninertial navigation system, a dead reckoning system, based on IPaddress, by using triangulation and/or proximity to cellular towers orWiFi hotspots, beacons, and the like and/or other suitable techniquesfor determining position. In aircraft examples, one or more of the abovelocation sensors or others can be provided as part of an aircraft'sFlight Management System (FMS) that employs multiple location sensors(e.g., inertial reference system data, radio navigation signals and/orGPS position) to keep track of an aircraft's position.

In some examples, trip data 122 also can include vehicle maintenancedata 148, technical disruption data 150, post trip reports data 152,quick access recorder (QAR) data 154, and/or additional trip data 156.Vehicle maintenance data 148 can be collected from maintenance recordsfor a fleet of vehicles. For aircraft, vehicle maintenance data 148 canbe collected from an airline's Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)systems, and can include but is not limited to data identifying aircraftparts that have been changed recently or general wear and tear that amaintenance crew has identified. Technical disruption data 150 caninclude data regarding trip delays, cancellations, turn backs, tripdiversions, and the like encountered during vehicle trips. Post-TripReport (PTR) data 152 can include an electronic form of data that iscollected automatically from vehicle systems and/or from informationprovided by driver/pilot data entry that is pertinent for trackingcustomized information about particular vehicle trips. Quick AccessRecorder (QAR) data 154 can provide recordation of raw trip dataparameters received from a number of vehicle sensors and systems.On-board systems can also be configured to continuously record data onvehicle system operation. For example, aircraft systems can be configureto record data on aircraft system operation (e.g. flaps and slatsdeployed, landing gear extended, thrust reversers deployed, brakesapplied), and system status, performance and health (e.g. temperatures,pressures, flow rates, tank quantities, valve positions). Additionaltrip data 156 can originate from still further sources. For example,additional trip data 156 can correspond to additional flight data foraircraft operations that can originate from still further sources,including but not limited to pilot reports, parts removal registries,Aircraft Condition Monitoring Systems (ACMS), and/or AircraftCommunications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) messages thatinclude relevant data such as aircraft movement events, flight plans,route information, weather information, equipment health, status ofconnecting flights, and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-10, various graphical user interfaces depicttrip trajectory data generated in accordance with the systems andmethods described herein. The various graphical user interfaces depictedin FIGS. 4-10 can be generated, for example, via trajectory viewingsystem 112 of FIG. 1 and can be provided in one or more different viewportions within a browser window for displaying the map-based triptrajectory data.

For example, FIG. 4 depicts a first example graphical user interface 200that depicts trip trajectory data associated with a selected group ofaircraft flights approaching a given airport. In this particularexample, trip selection system 104 can be utilized to select multipleaircraft flights that are associated with the given airport. Themultiple aircraft flights can be selected based on flight numbers, dates(e.g., all flights in a given 24-hour period of time), or otherparameters. Start offsets and/or stop offsets can be used to gather tripdata associated with such flights in a manner that focuses more onflight landings. For instance, location data for identified flights canbe gathered for all locations along a flight trajectory within a givenradius around the airport. Trip trajectory configurations can bespecified requesting that location data be provided in a particularcolor or pattern. Each trip trajectory 202 includes location dataassociated with a particular trip/flight. All trip trajectories 202 areoverlaid on a map portion 204 of a geographic area encompassing locationdata associated with the trip trajectories 202. The example triptrajectory data depicted in FIG. 4 can be useful, for instance, toidentify one or more particular aberrant flights (e.g., flights havingtrajectories that may have deviated from a conventional flight approachpattern). A user can then select the identified aberrant flights usinginterface features provided relative to graphical user interface 200,which can lead to generation of additional parameter data related to theselected flights.

FIG. 5 depicts a second example graphical user interface 210 thatdepicts trip trajectory data associated with two selected groups ofaircraft flights approaching a given airport. In this particularexample, trip selection system 104 and trip grouping system 106 can beutilized to select a first group of aircraft flights (e.g., asrepresented by flight trajectories 212) and a second group of aircraftflights (e.g., as represented by flight trajectories 214). The firstgroup of flights (e.g., as represented by flight trajectories 212) canbe associated, for example, with a date range before a particularoperating procedure is implemented. The second group of flights (e.g.,as represented by flight trajectories 214) can be associated with a daterange after a particular operating procedure is implemented. Triptrajectory configurations can be specified requesting that location datafor the first group of flights (e.g., as represented by flighttrajectories 212) be provided in a particular color or pattern (e.g.,solid lines as shown in FIG. 5) and that location data for the secondgroup of flights (e.g., as represented by flight trajectories 214) beprovided in a particular color or pattern (e.g., dotted lines as shownin FIG. 5). Generation of trip trajectory data as depicted in FIG. 5 canbe especially useful to system users for identifying information foranalyzing and evaluating effects of operating procedures on flightpatterns or related aircraft data.

FIGS. 6-9 depict examples of how different parameter configurations canbe used to illustrate different portions of trip trajectories. Forexample, FIG. 6 depicts two trip trajectories 220 and 230 generated fromtwo different aircraft flights that include color mapping for differentengine use parameters. In this example, each trip trajectory 220, 230 isgenerated relative to an engine-off taxiing (EOT) parameter during whichan aircraft can switch to operation with a single engine as opposed todual engines while taxiing after landing. Some users may desire toanalyze EOT performance to identify cost-saving measures associated withaircraft taxiing protocols. Trip trajectories 220, 230 respectivelyinclude a first trajectory portion 222, 232 corresponding to a portionof each trip trajectory 220, 230 associated with engine cool down afterlanding. Trip trajectories 220, 230 respectively include a secondtrajectory portion 224, 234 corresponding to a portion of each triptrajectory 220, 230 associated with locations/times during which EOT isavailable for use by the selected aircraft. Trip trajectory 220 includesa third trajectory portion 226 corresponding to a portion of triptrajectory 220 associated with locations/times during which EOT wasactually employed by the selected aircraft, while the aircraftassociated with trip trajectory 230 did not actually employ EOT at allduring trip trajectory 230. Parameter configurations can be defined interms of a mapping formula for mapping different operational instancesof EOT to different visual features. For example, a mapping formula candefine that first trajectory portions 222, 232 indicating engine cooldown be shown using a first color or pattern (e.g., solid lines), whilesecond trajectory portions 224, 234 indicating EOT opportunity be shownusing a second color or pattern (e.g., dotted lines), and thirdtrajectory portions 226 indicating actual EOT utilization be shown usinga third color or pattern (e.g., dot-dashed lines). Generation of triptrajectory data as depicted in FIG. 6 can be especially useful to systemusers for identifying cost saving measures, such as the fact that theaircraft associated with trip trajectory 220 actually employed EOTmeasures for a period of time (e.g., 7.5 minutes) saving a particularquantity of fuel (e.g., 75 kg of fuel) relative to the aircraftassociated with trip trajectory 230 that did not employ EOT.

FIG. 7 depicts an example trip trajectory 240 that is generated over map242 using a parameter configuration defined relative to the particulartrip parameter of aircraft roll. In this particular example, parametervalues are represented at different location/time points along triptrajectory 240 using parameter value lines 244. Parameter value lines244 have varied lengths that correlate to the changing values ofaircraft roll at different points along trip trajectory 240. In thisexample, parameter value lines 244 are oriented in a generallyperpendicular fashion relative to the direction of trip trajectory line240. The visual differentiation in FIG. 7 accommodated by the mapping oftrip trajectory 240 over map 242 with integrated trip parameterconfigurations depicted by parameter value lines 244 can help toillustrate helpful trajectory conclusions. In this case, a user caneffectively analyze the flight data of FIG. 7 to determine thatparameter value lines 244 increase when the aircraft begins a long turnas well as during adjustments made during a final approach for landing.

FIG. 8 depicts an example trip trajectory 250 that is generated over map252 using a parameter configuration defined relative to the particulartrip parameter of EOT, such as also depicted in FIG. 6. In thisparticular example, parameter values (e.g., when an aircraft is engagedin dual engine operation versus single engine operation) are representedat different location/time points along trip trajectory 250 using acombination of color mapping and icons. A mapping formula can beestablished that maps a first portion 254 of trip parameter values(e.g., operation in a dual engine mode) to a first color/pattern (e.g.,solid lines) and a second portion 256 of trip parameter values (e.g.,operation in a single engine mode) to a second color/pattern (e.g.,dotted lines). Icon definitions can be established such that triptrajectory 250 is generated to include an icon 258 representing thepoint at which an aircraft switches from operation in dual engine modeto single engine mode as well as an icon 259 representing the point atwhich an aircraft switches from operation in single engine mode to bothengines off. Icons 258, 259 are depicted in FIG. 8 as pushpins, althoughit should be appreciated that icons can be defined using any number ofcombinations or different shapes, sizes, color and the like. Icondefinitions, color mappings and/or other parameter configurations can becreated using any number of specific parameters (e.g., time of last flapchange, location one minute from landing, point of maximum kineticenergy, etc.) connected to the trajectories themselves.

FIG. 9 depicts an example trip trajectory 260 that is generated for aparticular trip over map 262 using a parameter configuration definedrelative to a plurality of trip parameters. Trip trajectory 260 can begenerated from location data requested via a trip data query stringrequesting location data for an identified flight from 30 nautical milesuntil touchdown. A first trip parameter represented in FIG. 9 isairspeed. Parameter configurations relative to airspeed can be definedsuch that a color mapping is used to translate computed airspeed (CAS)to a range of colors defined relative to a color gradient scale. Assuch, a trajectory configuration associated with trip trajectory 260defines color values for different CAS values at different points intime/location along trip trajectory 260. Additional trip parameters arerepresented along trip trajectory 260, in the form of marker icons 264,266, and 268. A parameter configuration can be defined to identify whena last flap change occurred during flight, resulting in generation ofmarker icon 264 in the trip trajectory data of FIG. 9. Another parameterconfiguration can be defined to identify when an aircraft put itslanding gear down, resulting in generation of marker icon 266 in thetrip trajectory data shown in FIG. 9. A still further parameterconfiguration can be defined to identify when an aircraft reaches 1000feet above ground, resulting in generation of marker icon 268 in thetrip trajectory data shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 shows an example graphical display 270 by which vehicle trips(e.g., aircraft flights) can be indirectly specified as part of tripselection system 104. Graphical display 270 can include a primary viewportion 272, a secondary view portion 274 and a tertiary view portion276. Primary view portion 272 depicts an example portion of a graphicaluser interface that can be used as part of trip selection system 104.Dots 278 can represent different vehicle trips (e.g., aircraft flights),which can be selected by user interaction within primary view portion272. Selection of dots 278 representing different aircraft flights canadd selected flights to the secondary view portion 274. Secondary viewportion 274 can depict an example portion of a graphical user interfacethat can be used as part of trip grouping system 106. For example, threegroups are depicted in secondary view portion 274, namely a “Selected”group, a “Less Efficient” Group and a “More Efficient” Group. Thetertiary view portion 276 can depict an example portion of a graphicaluser interface that can be used as part of trajectory viewing system112. For example, tertiary view portion 276 can provide triptrajectories for the various groups identified in secondary view portion274 on a map 280. Trip trajectory data shown in tertiary view portion276 can be generated for a first group of flights (e.g., the “Selected”group) in accordance with a first type of trajectory configuration(e.g., a dot-dashed line style as indicated by trajectories 282, whichcan additionally or alternatively correspond to a first color), a secondgroup of flights (e.g., the “Less Efficient” group) in accordance with asecond type of trajectory configuration (e.g., a solid line style asindicated by trajectories 284, which can additionally or alternativelycorrespond to a second color), and a third group of flights (e.g., the“More Efficient” group in accordance with a third type of trajectoryconfiguration (e.g., a dotted line style as indicated by trajectories286, which can additionally or alternatively correspond to a thirdcolor).

FIGS. 11-14 depict various flow charts for implementing features andaspects of various methods disclosed herein, which can be implementedusing one or more computing devices as depicted in FIG. 15. Referringmore particularly to FIG. 11, method (300) of mapping trip trajectoriesincludes identifying (302) one or more vehicle trips. One or morevehicle trips can be identified at (302) using, for example, tripselection system 104 depicted in FIG. 1. Vehicle trips can beidentified, for example, using one or more trip identifiers indicativeof the one or more vehicle trips. Trip identifiers can be identifieddirectly or indirectly by selecting icons representative of trips from aview portion (e.g., a chart or plot of multiple trips and/or vehicles),such as depicted in FIG. 10.

One or more trajectory configurations associated with the vehicle tripsidentified at (302) can be identified at (304). The one or moretrajectory configurations identified at (304) can indicate, for example,a manner in which trip trajectory data associated with the location datafor the vehicle trips identified at (302) should be generated. Forexample, different colors, patterns, icons and/or visual indicators canbe identified at (304) as part of the trajectory configurations. In someexamples, multiple trajectory configurations can be identified at (304)so that trip trajectories can be generated to include visuallydistinguishing features among different groups of trips, vehicles,parameters or the like.

FIG. 12 illustrates a first more particular example of identifyingmultiple different trajectory configurations. For example, oneparticular example of identifying multiple trajectory configurations at(304 a) can include identifying one or more first trip trajectoryconfigurations at (330) and identifying one or more second triptrajectory configurations at (332). In some examples, the one or morefirst trip trajectory configurations identified at (330) can beassociated with at least a portion of one or more first vehicle trips,while the one or more second trip trajectory configurations identifiedat (332) can be associated with at least a portion of one or more secondvehicle trips. An example of such first and second trip trajectoryconfigurations is depicted in FIG. 5 where a first trip trajectoryconfiguration (e.g., red/solid lines) is identified at (330) for a firstgroup of aircraft flights (e.g., as represented by flight trajectories212) and a second trip trajectory configuration (e.g., green/dottedlines) is identified at (332) for a second group of aircraft flights(e.g., as represented by flight trajectories 214).

FIG. 13 illustrates a second more particular example of identifyingmultiple different trajectory configurations. For example, oneparticular example of identifying multiple trajectory configurations at(304 b) can include identifying one or more first trip trajectoryconfigurations at (340) and identifying one or more second triptrajectory configurations at (342). In some examples, the one or morefirst trip trajectory configurations identified at (340) can beassociated with at least a first portion of each vehicle trip, while theone or more second trip trajectory configurations identified at (342)can be associated with at least a second portion of each vehicle trip.An example of such first and second trip trajectory configurations isdepicted in FIG. 6, where at least a first portion of each vehicle tripis associated with dual engine operation, which is depicted by firsttrajectory portions 222, 232 shown using a first color or pattern (e.g.,solid lines). At least a second portion of each vehicle trip isassociated with single engine operation (EOT mode), which is depicted bysecond trajectory portions 224, 234 shown using a second color orpattern (e.g., dotted lines).

Referring again to FIG. 11, method (300) can further include requesting(306) location data associated with the one or more vehicle tripsidentified at (300). Location data for each vehicle trip can berequested at (306) by a trip trajectory system 102 from a trip datasystem 120 as represented in FIG. 1. Location data requested at (306)can include latitude, longitude and/or altitude values of a vehicle atdifferent points along a trip path. In some examples, the vehiclelocation data requested at (306) can be time-correlated location datasuch that each instance of recorded location data has an associatedtimestamp. In some examples, requesting (306) location data can includemore particular aspects, as indicated in FIG. 14. For example,requesting (306) location data can include generating (350) a querystring. The query string generated at (350) can include one or moreidentifiers, such as one or more trip identifiers indicative of the oneor more vehicle trips identified at (302) and/or one or more systemidentifiers indicative of a trip data system from which location data isrequested at (306). In some examples, a query string generated at (350)can correspond to a trip data query string 116 such as depicted anddescribed with reference to FIG. 1. Location data associated with theone or more vehicle trips then can be requested at (352) from a tripdata system (e.g., trip data system 120) based at least in part from thequery string generated at (350), including the one or more identifiersin the query string.

Method (300) of FIG. 11 can further include generating (314) triptrajectory data based at least in part from the location data associatedwith the one or more vehicle trips identified at (302) and the one ormore trajectory configurations identified at (304). The trip trajectorydata generated at (314) then can be provided for display at (316) on amap of a geographic area including one or more locations defined by thelocation data associated with the one or more vehicle trips. In someexamples, before generating (314) trip trajectory data and providing(316) such data for display, additional optional steps (308), (310) and(312) can be included such that parameter data related to a triptrajectory can also be generated at (314) and provided for display at(316). For example, one or more trip parameters associated with at leasta portion of each vehicle trip identified at (302) can be identified at(308). One or more parameter configurations associated with at least aportion of each trip parameter identified at (308) can be identified at(310). Trip parameter data can also be requested at (312) from a tripdata system (e.g., trip data system 120) using an API or othercommunication interface. An example of trip parameter data identified at(308) corresponds to airspeed as indicated in the example of FIG. 9. Inthe example of FIG. 9, parameter configurations identified at (310) caninclude a mapping formula that maps parameter values for the one or moretrip parameters (e.g., airspeed) to a visual spectrum (e.g., a colorgradient). Parameter configurations identified at (310) also can includeicon definitions for indicating trip parameter data at one or more timesor locations along a trip trajectory. In the example of FIG. 9, icondefinitions associated with icons 264, 266, and 268 are identified at(310) corresponding to a point at which a last flap change occurredduring flight, a point at which an aircraft put its landing gear down,and a point at which an aircraft reaches 1000 feet above ground.

Referring still to FIG. 11, the trip trajectory data provided fordisplay at (316) can be interactive within a graphical user interface.As such, data indicative of user selection of one or more selectedvehicle trips (e.g., aberrant flights) can be received at (318) from thetrajectory data provided for display at (316). Additional trip parameterdata (e.g., specific parameters associated with a particular vehicletrip) then can be retrieved (e.g., from trip data system 120) andprovided for display at (320).

FIG. 15 depicts various system components for implementing triptrajectory system 102 and the various systems thereof (e.g., tripselection system 104, trip grouping system 106, trip parameter system108, mapping system 110, trajectory viewing system 112, and/or APIs114). Trip trajectory system 102 can include one or more computingdevices 400. Although only one computing device 400 is illustrated inFIG. 15, multiple computing devices optionally may be provided at one ormore locations for operation in sequence or parallel configurations toimplement the disclosed methods and systems of mapping triptrajectories. In other examples, trip trajectory system 102 can beimplemented using other suitable architectures, such as a singlecomputing device. Each of the computing devices 400 in trip trajectorysystem 102 can be any suitable type of computing device, such as ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, laptop, desktop,mobile device, smartphone, tablet, wearable computing device, a displaywith one or more processors, or other suitable computing device.

Each computing device 400 can respectively include one or moreprocessor(s) 402 and one or more memory devices 404. The one or moreprocessor(s) 402 can include any suitable processing device, such as amicroprocessor, microcontroller, integrated circuit, logic device, oneor more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units(GPUs) dedicated to efficiently rendering images or performing otherspecialized calculations, and/or other processing devices. The one ormore memory devices 404 can include one or more computer-readable media,including, but not limited to, non-transitory computer-readable media,RAM, ROM, hard drives, flash drives, or other memory devices. In someexamples, memory devices 404 can correspond to coordinated databasesthat are split over multiple locations. In some examples, the one ormore memory devices 404 can include tangible, non-transitorycomputer-readable media storing computer-readable instructions thatimplement an application programming interface (API) for obtainingflight trajectory data executed on one or more computing devices.

The one or more memory devices 404 can store information accessible bythe one or more processors 402, including instructions that can beexecuted by the one or more processors 402. For instance, memory device404 can store instructions 406 for implementing processing rules,operations and algorithms to implement the functions set forth in method(300) and other aspects variously depicted in FIGS. 11-14. The one ormore memory devices 404 also can include data 408 that can be retrieved,manipulated, created, or stored by the one or more processors 402. Thedata 408 stored at trip trajectory system 102 can include, for instance,one or more identified vehicle trips, one or more identified trajectoryconfigurations, one or more identified trip parameters, one or moreidentified parameter configurations, one or more query strings,retrieved trip data and/or map data, and any other data required toimplement the disclosed systems and methods.

Trip trajectory system 102 also can include various input/output devicesfor providing and receiving information to/from a user. For instance, aninput device 410 can include devices such as a touch screen, touch pad,data entry keys, and/or a microphone suitable for voice recognition.Input device 410 can be employed by a user to provide input data entryor other information used by the disclosed trip trajectory mappingsystems and methods, including but not limited to input data identifyingone or more vehicle trips, one or more first trip trajectoryconfigurations associated with one or more of a first portion of the oneor more vehicle trips or a first set of vehicle trips, one or moresecond flight trajectory configurations associated with one or more of asecond portion of the one or more vehicle trips or a second set ofvehicle trips, one or more trip parameters, and one or more tripparameter configurations. An output device 412 can include audio orvisual outputs such as speakers or displays for indicating triptrajectory mapping outputs, graphical user interfaces, and the like. Insome examples, output device 412 includes a display device configured toprovide output data in the form of one or more graphical user interfacesfor receiving user instructions. The user instructions can then beidentified upon receipt of user input via input device 410.

The technology discussed herein makes reference to computing devices,databases, software applications, and other computer-based systems, aswell as actions taken and information sent to and from such systems. Oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the inherentflexibility of computer-based systems allows for a great variety ofpossible configurations, combinations, and divisions of tasks andfunctionality between and among components. For instance, computingprocesses discussed herein may be implemented using a single computingdevice or multiple computing devices working in combination. Databasesand applications may be implemented on a single system or distributedacross multiple systems. Distributed components may operate sequentiallyor in parallel.

It will be appreciated that the computer-executable algorithms describedherein can be implemented in hardware, application specific circuits,firmware and/or software controlling a general purpose processor. In oneembodiment, the algorithms are program code files stored on the storagedevice, loaded into one or more memory devices and executed by one ormore processors or can be provided from computer program products, forexample computer executable instructions, that are stored in a tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium such as RAM, flash drive, hard disk, oroptical or magnetic media. When software is used, any suitableprogramming language or platform can be used to implement the algorithm.

Although specific features of various embodiments may be shown in somedrawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure, any feature of a drawingmay be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of anyother drawing.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for mapping triptrajectories, comprising: identifying, by one or more computing devices,one or more vehicle trips; identifying, by the one or more computingdevices, one or more trajectory configurations associated with at leasta portion of each vehicle trip; requesting, by the one or more computingdevices, location data associated with the one or more vehicle trips;generating, by the one or more computing devices, trip trajectory databased at least in part from the location data associated with the one ormore vehicle trips and the one or more trajectory configurationsassociated with at least a portion of each vehicle trip; and providingfor display, by the one or more computing devices, the trip trajectorydata on a map of a geographic area including one or more locationsdefined by the location data associated with the one or more vehicletrips.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, whereinrequesting, by the one or more computing devices, location dataassociated with the one or more vehicle trips comprises: generating, bythe one or more computing devices, a query string that comprises one ormore trip identifiers indicative of the one or more vehicle trips; andrequesting, by the one or more computing devices, location dataassociated with the one or more vehicle trips from a trip data systembased at least in part on the query string that comprises the one ormore trip identifiers.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2,wherein the query string further comprises one or more systemidentifiers indicative of the trip data system from which the locationdata is requested.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein identifying, by the one or more computing devices, one or moretrajectory configurations associated with at least a portion of eachvehicle trip comprises: identifying, by the one or more computingdevices, one or more first trip trajectory configurations associatedwith at least a portion of one or more first vehicle trips; andidentifying, by the one or more computing devices, one or more secondtrip trajectory configurations associated with at least a portion of oneor more second vehicle trips; and wherein generating, by the one or morecomputing devices, trip trajectory data is based at least in part fromthe location data associated with the one or more vehicle trips, the oneor more first trip trajectory configurations and the one or more secondtrip trajectory configurations.
 5. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein identifying, by the one or more computing devices, oneor more trajectory configurations associated with at least a portion ofeach vehicle trip comprises: identifying, by the one or more computingdevices, one or more first trip trajectory configurations associatedwith at least a first portion of each vehicle trip; and identifying, bythe one or more computing devices, one or more second trip trajectoryconfigurations associated with at least a second portion of each vehicletrip; and wherein generating, by the one or more computing devices, triptrajectory data is based at least in part from the location dataassociated with the one or more vehicle trips, the one or more firsttrip trajectory configurations and the one or more second triptrajectory configurations.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim1, further comprising: identifying, by the one or more computingdevices, one or more trip parameters associated with at least a portionof each vehicle trip; identifying, by the one or more computing devices,one or more parameter configurations associated with a least a portionof each trip parameter; and requesting, by the one or more computingdevices, trip parameter data associated with the one or more tripparameters.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, whereingenerating, by the one or more computing devices, trip trajectory datais further based at least in part from the trip parameter dataassociated with the one or more trip parameters and the one or moreparameter configurations associated with at least a portion of each tripparameter.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein theone or more parameter configurations comprise a mapping formula formapping values for the one or more trip parameters to a visual spectrum.9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the one or moreparameter configurations comprise icon definitions for indicating tripparameter data at one or more times or locations along a triptrajectory.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, by the one or more computing devices, dataindicative of user selection of one or more selected vehicle trips fromthe trip trajectory data provided for display; and providing fordisplay, by the one or more computing devices, additional trip parameterdata associated with the one or more selected vehicle trips.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the trip trajectory dataand map data associated with the map on which the trip trajectory datais provided for display are both provided in a keyhole markup language(KML) file format.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the one or more vehicle trips comprise one or more aircraftflights, and wherein identifying, by one or more computing devices, oneor more aircraft flights comprises receiving, by the one or morecomputing devices, a unique flight identifier for each aircraft flight.13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or morevehicle trips comprise one or more aircraft flights, and whereinidentifying, by one or more computing devices, one or more aircraftflights comprises receiving, by the one or more computing devices, auser selection of aircraft flights from a graphical user interface. 14.A map-based trip trajectory system, comprising: a display deviceconfigured to provide output data in the form of one or more graphicaluser interfaces for receiving user instructions; an input deviceconfigured to receive input data provided to the one or more graphicaluser interfaces provided on the display device, the input dataidentifying one or more vehicle trips, one or more first trip trajectoryconfigurations associated with one or more of a first portion of the oneor more vehicle trips or a first set of vehicle trips, and one or moresecond flight trajectory configurations associated with one or more of asecond portion of the one or more vehicle trips or a second set ofvehicle trips; one or more processors; and one or more memory devices,the one or more memory devices storing computer-readable instructionsthat when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or moreprocessors to perform operations, the operations comprising: requestinglocation data associated with the one or more vehicle trips; generatingtrip trajectory data based at least in part from the location dataassociated with the one or more vehicle trips, the one or more firsttrip trajectory configurations, and the one or more second triptrajectory configurations; and providing for display on the displaydevice the trip trajectory data on a map of a geographic area includingone or more locations defined by the location data associated with theone or more vehicle trips.
 15. The map-based trip trajectory system ofclaim 14, wherein requesting location data associated with the one ormore vehicle trips comprises: generating a query string that comprisesone or more trip identifiers indicative of the one or more vehicle tripsand one or more system identifiers indicative of a trip data system fromwhich the location data is requested; and requesting the location dataassociated with the one or more vehicle trips from the flight datasystem based at least in part on the query string that comprises the oneor more trip identifiers and the one or more system identifiers.
 16. Themap-based trip trajectory system of claim 14, wherein the input datafurther identifies one or more trip parameters associated with at leasta portion of each vehicle trip and one or more parameter configurationsassociated with at least a portion of each trip parameter; wherein theoperations further comprise requesting trip parameter data associatedwith the one or more trip parameters; and wherein generating triptrajectory data is further based at least in part from the tripparameter data associated with the one or more trip parameters and theone or more parameter configurations associated with at least a portionof each trip parameter.
 17. The map-based trip trajectory system ofclaim 14, wherein the one or more parameter configurations comprise amapping formula for mapping values for the one or more trip parametersto a visual spectrum.
 18. The map-based trip trajectory system of claim14, wherein the one or more parameter configurations comprise icondefinitions for indicating trip parameter data at one or more times orlocations along a trip trajectory.
 19. The map-based trip trajectorysystem of claim 14, wherein the input data comprises data indicative ofuser selection of one or more selected vehicle trips from the triptrajectory data provided for display; and wherein the additional tripparameter data associated with the one or more selected vehicle trips isfurther provided for display on the display device.
 20. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions thatimplement an application programming interface for obtaining flighttrajectory data executed on one or more computing devices, the one ormore computing devices having one or more processors and at least onedisplay device, the application programming interface comprisinginstructions for: identifying, by a software application associated withthe one or more computing devices, one or more aircraft flights and oneor more flight trajectory configurations; generating, by the softwareapplication, a query string that comprises one or more flightidentifiers indicative of the one or more aircraft flights; requesting,by the software application, location data associated with the one ormore aircraft flights; and wherein the one or more computing devicesprovide for display on the display device the location data associatedwith the one or more aircraft flights on a map of a geographic areaincluding one or more locations defined by the location data associatedwith the one or more aircraft flights.